SCENE III.
Caius Marcius' House in Rome.
Enter Volumnia, and Virgilia: They sit down on two low stools, and sew.
Vol.
I pray you, daughter, sing; or express yourself
in a more comfortable sort: If my son were
my husband, I should freelier rejoice in that absence
wherein he won honour, than in the embracements of
his bed, where he would shew most love. When yet
he was but tender-body'd, and the only son of my
womb; when youth with comeliness pluck'd all gaze
his way; when, for a day of king's entreaties, a mother
should not sell him an hour from her beholding;
I,—considering how honour would become such a person;
that it was no better than picture-like to hang
by the wall, if renown made it not stir,—was pleas'd
to let him seek danger where he was like to find fame.
To a cruel war I sent him; from whence he return'd,
his 2 notebrows bound with oak: I tell thee, daughter,—
I sprang not more in joy at first hearing he was a man-child,
than now in first seeing he had proved himself
a man.
Vir.
But had he died in the business, madam? how
then?
Vol.
Then his good report should have been my
son; I therein would have found issue. Hear me
profess sincerely:—Had I a dozen sons,—each in my
love alike, and none less dear than thine and my good
-- 347 --
Marcius,—I had rather had eleven die nobly for their
country, than one voluptuously surfeit out of action.
Enter a Gentlewoman.
Gent.
Madam, the lady Valeria is come to visit you.
Vir.
'Beseech you, give me leave to retire myself.
Vol.
Indeed, you shall not.
Methinks, I hither hear your husband's drum;
See him pluck down Aufidius by the hair;
As children from a bear, the Volces shunning him:
Methinks, I see him stamp thus, and call thus,—
Come on you cowards; you were got in fear,
Though you were born in Rome: His bloody brow
With his mail'd hand then wiping, forth he goes;
Like to a harvest-man, that's task'd to mow
Or all, or lose his hire.
Vir.
His bloody brow! O, Jupiter, no blood!
Vol.
Away, you fool! it more becomes a man,
3 note
Than gilt his trophy: The breasts of Hecuba,
When she did suckle Hector, look'd not lovelier
Than Hector's forehead, when it spit forth blood
At Grecian swords' contending.—Tell Valeria4 note
,
We are fit to bid her welcome.
[Exit Gent.
Vir.
Heavens bless my lord from fell Aufidius!
Vol.
He'll beat Aufidius' head below his knee,
And tread upon his neck.
-- 348 --
Enter Valeria, with an Usher, and a Gentlewoman.
Val.
My ladies both, good day to you.
Vol.
Sweet madam,—
Vir.
I am glad to see your ladyship.
Val.
How do you both? you are manifest housekeepers.
What, are you sewing here? A fine spot, in
good faith.—How does your little son?
Vir.
I thank your ladyship; well, good madam.
Vol.
He had rather see the swords, and hear a drum,
Than look upon his school-master.
Val.
O' my word, the father's son: I'll swear, 'tis
a very pretty boy. O' my troth, I look'd upon him o'
wednesday half an hour together: he has such a confirm'd
countenance. I saw him run after a gilded
butterfly; and when he caught it, he let it go again;
and after it again; and over and over he comes, and
up again; catch'd it again: or whether his fall enrag'd
him, or how 'twas, he did so set his teeth, and
tear it; O, I warrant, how he mammock'd it5 note
!
Vol.
One of his father's moods.
Val.
Indeed la, 'tis a noble child.
Vir.
A crack, madam6 note
.
-- 349 --
Val.
Come, lay aside your stitchery; I must have
you play the idle huswife with me this afternoon.
Vir.
No, good madam; I will not out of doors.
Val.
Not out of doors!
Vol.
She shall, she shall.
Vir.
Indeed, no, by your patience: I will not over
the threshold, 'till my lord return from the wars.
Val.
Fie, you confine yourself most unreasonably:
Come, you must go visit the good lady that lies in.
Vir.
I will wish her speedy strength, and visit her
with my prayers; but I cannot go thither.
Vol.
Why, I pray you?
Vir.
'Tis not to save labour, nor that I want love.
Val.
You would be another Penelope: yet, they
say, all the yarn, she spun in Ulysses' absence, did
but fill Ithaca full of moths. Come; I would, your
cambrick were sensible as your finger, that you might
leave pricking it for pity. Come, you shall go with
us.
Vir.
No, good madam, pardon me; indeed, I
will not forth.
Val.
In truth la, go with me; and I'll tell you excellent
news of your husband.
Vir.
O, good madam, there can be none yet.
Val.
Verily, I do not jest with you; there came
news from him last night.
Vir.
Indeed, madam?
Val.
In earnest, it's true; I heard a senator speak
it. Thus it is:—The Volces have an army forth;
against whom Cominius the general is gone, with one
part of our Roman power: your lord, and Titus
Lartius, are set down before their city Corioli; they
nothing doubt prevailing, and to make it brief wars.
-- 350 --
This is true, on mine honour; and so, I pray, go
with us.
Vir.
Give me excuse, good madam; I will obey
you in every thing hereafter.
Vol.
Let her alone, lady; as she is now, she will
but disease our better mirth.
Val.
In troth, I think, she would:—Fare you well
then.—Come, good sweet lady.—Pry'thee, Virgilia,
turn thy solemnness out o'door, and go along with us.
Vir.
No: at a word, madam; indeed, I must not.
I wish you much mirth.
Val.
Well, then farewel.
[Exeunt.
Samuel Johnson [1778], The plays of William Shakspeare. In ten volumes. With the corrections and illustrations of various commentators; to which are added notes by Samuel Johnson and George Steevens. The second edition, Revised and Augmented (Printed for C. Bathurst [and] W. Strahan [etc.], London) [word count] [S10901].